Nayara Raises Fuel Prices Again
Private fuel retailer Nayara Energy has increased petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre across its nationwide network.
The revised prices came into effect from the early hours of October 3, with the increase being implemented at more than 7,000 Nayara fuel stations across India.
The company has made the move as rising international crude oil and refined fuel prices put increasing pressure on retail margins.
Nayara Had Rolled Back Its Earlier Hike
This is Nayara’s second petrol and diesel price revision of 2026.
The company had previously raised petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre on March 26 amid disruptions in global energy supplies.
However, Nayara subsequently reversed the entire increase on July 1 after international crude prices declined as tensions in West Asia eased.
The latest hike therefore represents a fresh pass-through of higher international fuel costs.
Why Is Nayara Raising Prices?
The key reason is the widening gap between the cost of procuring fuel and the prices at which it is sold through retail outlets.
International crude oil and refined petroleum product prices have risen sharply amid renewed disruptions in global energy markets.
Industry estimates indicate that oil marketing companies were facing negative marketing margins of around Rs 8 per litre on petrol and Rs 9 per litre on diesel during September.
This has created significant pressure on the profitability and cash flows of fuel retailers.
Nayara Operates 7,108 Fuel Stations
Nayara Energy operates 7,108 petrol pumps across India, making it the country’s largest private fuel retailer.
The company also operates a 20-million-tonne-per-year refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat.
Because of its large retail network, the latest price increase could affect consumers across multiple states.
However, the exact retail price after the hike varies from state to state because petrol and diesel prices include different levels of local taxes.
Nayara Prices Now Higher Than State-Run Pumps
The latest move is also significant because state-owned oil marketing companies have largely kept retail petrol and diesel prices unchanged despite the rise in global energy costs.
This means Nayara’s prices are now higher than those at many government-owned fuel stations.
In Delhi, for example, petrol at Nayara outlets is around Rs 107.12 per litre after the latest increase, while diesel is around Rs 98.20 per litre.
The price difference could influence consumer behaviour in locations where both private and public-sector fuel stations operate nearby.
Government Recently Warned Against Fuel Sales Caps
The price hike comes just days after the government warned private fuel retailers against restricting petrol and diesel sales.
Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal said that no retailer is permitted to impose unilateral caps on fuel sales.
Nayara and other private retailers had faced pressure from the gap between retail and bulk fuel prices, with some outlets restricting the quantity sold to individual customers.
More Fuel Price Pressure Could Follow
The latest increase highlights the growing pressure on India’s fuel market as international energy prices remain elevated.
If global crude and refined-product prices remain high, other fuel retailers could also face increasing pressure to adjust retail prices.
For consumers, a broader pass-through of international costs could increase transportation and freight expenses and potentially add to inflationary pressures.
Summary
Nayara Energy has increased petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 3 across its more than 7,000 fuel stations in India. The company is seeking to narrow the gap between retail prices and rising international fuel costs. The latest increase follows a similar hike in March that was later reversed in July after crude prices declined.
